Improvement in portable trunks



-MATILDA FLETCHER.

Portable Trunks. i No 158 056. I Patente dDec,22,l874.

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrron.

MATILDA FLETCHER, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT IN PORTABLE TRUNKS.

Specification formin g part of Letters Patent No. 158,056, dated December 22, 1874 applicatiog filed August 21,1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATILDA FLETCHER,

of Des Moines, Iowa, have invented certain Improvements in Portable Trunks, of which the following is a specification:

1 The object of my invention is to construct the body of a trunk in such a manner as to increase its strength, durability, and convenience, and at the same time specially adapt it to be turned up on its end, divided, and transformed and used as a bureau, writingdesk, and closets of shelving. It consists in forming two equal and complete longitudinal and arched sections, and dividing them into aseries of compartments by transverse partitions, in such a manner as to form a series of supports to the arched walls, and a series of divisions specially adapted to form a writingdesk and a toilet-bureau, that may be separated and used independently, all as hereinafter fully set forth.

Figure 1 of my drawing is a perspective view, illustrating the manner of forming the arched and divided sections.

A A represent wooden end and base pieces of semicircular form. a a a is the arched wall, composed of strips of wood joined and rigidly fastened to the edges of the basepieces A in any suitable manner. Bent wood, sheet metal, or paper-board may be used in place of the series of strips or pieces a. b b are bands or hoops, formed of any suitable material, and rigidly attached in any practical way, to strengthen and protect the wall and body of the trunk. B B B are transverse partitions, corresponding in form and size with the end pieces A. They may be wood or any other suitable material, and are tightly joined and rigidly secured to the arched wall with nails or screws, or other suitable means, to support and strengthen the arched wall, to form separate compartments and'shelves, and to adapt the half-sections to be fitted and furnished with a writingdesk, a glass, and bureaudrawers, each of which may be used independently. c c are handles. They may be protected by a rim on the edge of the body, or by being set in a countersink. Similar handles or casters may be attached on the opposite and bottom ends. The two semi-cylindrical sections may be connected by any suitable loose-joint hinges, and then closed together and locked by any suitable form of lock. k 70 k are straps to be buckled across the joints to add security and to form handles. m m represent a series of longitudinal cleats to strengthen and protect the body and surface-cover of the trunk.

Fig.2 shows the trunk separated, and each section set up on its bottom end and transformed, one into a combined writing-desk and bureau, and the otherinto a toilet-stand and closet of shelving. The upper compartment of the left section is filled with drawers and pigeon-holes of various forms and sizes, and a folding lid is hinged at the bottom to close the compartment, or to be turned down upon a projecting drawer or other suitable support and used as a writing-desk. The upper compartment of the other section is designed to have a toilet-glass hinged at its top to be turnedupward for use, as indicated, and folded down to be concealed and carried in the trunk. The top compartment may be subdivided in any suitable way desired, for the purpose of packing and carrying toilet articles. The lower compartments are vacant shelves that may be advantageously used in the absence or scarcity of household furniture.

Fig. 3 shows drawers removed from the trunk and placed upon each other. They may be subdivided, as represented by the top one, to form compartments of different sizes, and adapted for the various articles desired in a traveling outfit and wardrobe.

The drawer-handles may be countersunk, and looks or catches provided on each drawer to retain it in place; and, when the two sections close upon each other, the faces of their drawers will rest together and mutually support and protect each other in their respective compartments.

The trunk may be covered, painted, ornamented, and finished in any style desired.

Fig. 4 represents my trunk packed and locked and ready for transportation. It may be rolled and readily moved without lifting.

I am aware that transformable and cylindrical trunks have been used, and that bureaudrawers, writing-desks, and toilet-glasses have been combined with trunks; but I claim that my manner of forming arched sections and subdivisions, and thereby adapting a trunk to sections B B B transversely of its length, subbe divided, and its sections set upon their ends and moved about, and used as independent articles of furniture, in the manner described, is new and greatly advantageous.

I claim as my invention- -A cylindrical trunk divided in its center longitudinally and hinged, and having the stantially as and for the purposes shown and described.

MATILDA FLETCHER.

Witnesses:

0. P. HoLMEs, H. A. OLoW. 

